WEEE recycling in China. Present situation and main obstacles for improvement

Abstract

Presently the waste processing and recycling of electronics in China is managed mostly by informal recycling businesses. This sector runs a considerable risk of causing environmental and occupational hazard. It also loses valuable materials by applying inappropriate recycling techniques. Formal recycling industries have to compete with informal businesses, whilst still complying with environmental and occupational regulations. Several obstacles prevent formal recycling businesses from becoming competitive, such as the fact that the formal sector finds it difficult to collect sufficient waste volumes due to international bans on waste imports, and high costs for collecting domestic obsolete equipment. In this paper, the costs of collection and transport for five products were analyzed within both formal and informal recycling industries. The payment to owners at the point of collection is the biggest financial burden recyclers have to carry. Formal businesses have no other choice but to buy obsolete equipment from households or industries. Within the national pilot project, which investigates the strategies to establish an e-waste management system in China, authorities should consider providing financial support for e-waste collection.